District attorney's office offers assistance to former Deerfield Academy students in Peter Hindle case

DEERFIELD — The Northwestern district attorney’s office Tuesday called allegations that a longtime Deerfield Academy math teacher had sexual contact with a student “deeply disturbing,” but commended the school’s handling of the incident so far.

“Deerfield Academy appears to be taking an important first step to independently investigate inappropriate contacts between a former teacher ... and a student,” the office said.

The district attorney’s office said while it isn’t involved in the investigation yet, it will be if it learns that a crime had been committed within the statute of limitations.

According to the DA’s office, a complaint or indictment alleging child abuse can be filed any time after the offense is committed for up to 27 years.

Claims made outside of that window must be supported by independent evidence that corroborates the victim’s allegation, according to the office.

The alleged contact occurred during the 1980s, according to a letter from Head of the School Margarita Curtis and trustees president Philip Greer.

The school identified the teacher as Peter Hindle, who taught at Deerfield from 1956 until 2000.

The 78-year-old Hindle said he was consulting with a lawyer, and had given several students back rubs over the years.

Northwestern District Attorney David Sullivan said state police detectives assigned to his office are available to former students wishing to report inappropriate contact, but his office generally isn’t involved unless a crime falls within the time limit for prosecution.

Deerfield Academy is conducting an investigation of the teacher’s years at the school, has retained an independent law firm to assist and has informed law enforcement authorities, the school’s letter said.

Deerfield Academy is asking those who have been personally affected or have any information that may assist in the investigation to contact Curtis at mcurtis@deerfield.edu or 413-774-1425 or Stuart Bicknell, the school psychologist, at sbicknell@deerfield.edu or 413-774-1563.

The private co-educational academy, founded in 1797, enrolls about 630 students in grades 9 through 12, most of them boarding students.